December Digital Sampler - Mother&Baby

DECEMBER 2017 THE No.1 PREGNANCY, BABY AND TODDLER MAGAZINE
THE UK’S BEST-SELLING MAGAZINE FOR MUMS
All is
calm…
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MAGIC MOMENTS
Help her make stronger
memories this Christmas
Bump-savvy hacks for
pregnant partying
11
FESTIVE CRAFTS
LITTLE FINGERS
CAN MAKE
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Contents
December
Baby&Toddler
COVER SHUTTERSTOCK
p58
p52
p63
Upfront
6 News and views
Our round-up of the latest
essential parenting updates and
key trends
14 Over to you
All your letters, photos, emails and
Facebook posts
p45
p118
On the
Cover
p28
p63
Bump&Birth
24 It’s all about the bump
Focus on your growing baby
this Christmas
28 The pregnant girl’s guide
to partying
Celebrate the festivities in style
32 Sorted!
How to boost your energy levels
35 Birth stories
‘My dog helped me deliver my baby’
38 Dress my bump
Fashion for work and play
42
Sing your
baby happy
45
Discover the
sleep habits
that make
a big
difference
42 Sing your baby happy
How all those carols will make
her smile
45 24 hours to better sleep
The little habits that will make
a big difference to your nights
52 Christmas is coming…
…so it’s time to get crafty!
58 Making memories
Nurture her ability to remember
the magical moments
63 Santa’s present chooser
Perfect gifts for your youngster
82 The big freeze
Cute and cosy winter fashion
Life&Kids
88 Have the best family
Christmas, ever!
Giovanna Fletcher wants you to be
as Christmas-crazy as her clan!
93 Boost your immune
system
Stay well this winter
94 Winter fairytale
Once upon a time, there was
a dazzling nursery trend…
Here to help
Our experts answer all your questions
76 Pregnancy
77 Behaviour
79 Sleep
80 Eating
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See page 72
Make more
time for you
and your bump
24
58Help your
96 Baby, I’ll be back soon
Manage your worries when you’re
away from your baby
100 Time to party!
Tasty seasonal recipes
Shop!
youngster have
stronger
memories
106 The big test
Folding highchairs reviewed
115 March of the penguins
Super-cute on-trend designs
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greatmagazines.co.uk
117 Six ways to…
Soothe her skin this winter
118 Giveaways
Kit worth over £2,514
120 Supermarket buys
What’s new down the aisles
121 25% off at Cheeky
Chompers
Exclusive offer for M&B readers
130 Now I’m a mum, I know…
YouTube star Anna Saccone Joly
106
Folding
highchairs
tested by
mums
like you
4 | December 2017 | motherandbaby.co.uk
motherandbaby.co.uk | December 2017 | 5

FESTIVE MAKES
Christmas
IS COMING...
…so it’s time to get crafty! Even little fingers can make
these fun decorations
Robin
feeder
Include your feathery friends in the
festive cheer with this candy cane bird
ornament. Bend a red pipe cleaner in half
and twist. Then get your youngster to
thread on hoops of low-sugar cereal.
Once you’ve finished, head outside
to hang them on a tree and wait for
the birds to flock to their cheery feast.
Ginger decorations
Melt 175g of dark muscovado sugar,
85g golden syrup and 100g butter in a
pan. Combine 3 tsp of ground ginger,
1 tsp ground cinnamon and 350g plain
flour in a large bowl. Make a well in the
centre of the dry ingredients, add the
sugar mix and 1 lightly beaten egg.
Dissolve 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda in
1 tsp cold water. Add to the other
ingredients and mix. Once cool, cover
the bowl with clingfilm and chill in the
fridge for 1 hour. Heat the oven
to 170°C/350°F/gas mark 4. Knead
the dough on a lightly floured
surface before rolling out thinly. Cut
with a star or gingerbread cutter then
transfer onto a baking sheet. Use a
straw to make a hole in the top of each
biscuit then bake for 12-15 minutes or
until golden. Transfer to a wire rack to
harden up before threading string
through, ready to hang on your tree.
Baby&Toddler
TASTY TREE
Mix up a cup of green icing
using icing sugar, a few drops
of green food colouring and
a little boiling water. Your youngster
will enjoy spooning the runny icing
over an upside-down ice cream cone.
Decorate with sprinkles and pop
a silver ball on the top.
WORDS EMILY THORPE PHOTOGRAPHY SHUTTERSTOCK
Squeezy snowman
Because he’s filled with rice, this Mr Frosty
feels lovely to squeeze. Using a funnel, help
your toddler fill an old white sock with rice.
Tie the top of the sock into a tight knot. Fit an
elastic band around the sausage shape to form
the snowman’s head and body. Use felt-tip
pens to make eyes, a nose and buttons. Then
tie a ribbon around his neck for a scarf, and
pop an old baby sock on his head for a hat.
RUDOLPH
Card
Make a card that Nan will treasure.
Fold a sheet of blue card in half. Squeeze
brown paint onto a paper plate and using her
right hand, place your youngster’s palm into
the paint and then press onto the left side of
card. This is Rudolph’s head. Rotate the card and
press down another handprint, a centimetre
away from the head to make the body. Fill in the
small gap between the two prints with a few
red fingerprints for a collar. Another makes
that famous red nose, and a googly eye
and a snowy landscape of white
fingerprints finish it off.
52 | 2017 December | motherandbaby.co.uk
2017 | motherandbaby.co.uk

The big
FREEZE
Gilet, £12,
mothercare.com
Gilet, £10,
next.co.uk
Cape, £32,
uk.monsoon.co.uk
Combine frosty white, cosy faux fur and shiny extras
for the coolest trend this winter
Pramsuit, £22,
mandco.com
Bobble hat, £4,
tesco.com
Coat, £16,
matalan.co.uk
Scarf, £7.99,
lindex.com
Jumper, £7,
peacocks.co.uk
Booties, £8, marks
andspencer.com
W
I
N
Top and trousers,
£15.99, mango.com
T
Coat, £27.50,
vertbaudet.co.uk
E R W
Cardigan, £14.99,
lindex.com
H
I
All-in-one,
£18, mother
care.com
T
E
F
A
U
X
F
U
R
Trainers, £17.99,
zara.com
Cardigan, £32,
leggings, £22,
thewhite
company.com
Hat and mittens, £15,
vertbaudet.co.uk
Coat, £6,
direct.asda.com
Coat, £24,
mandco.com
Coat, £25.99,
zalando.co.uk
Cardigan, £15,
vertbaudet.co.uk
Knitted top, £10,
matalan.co.uk
Boots, £8,
mothercare.com
82 | December 2017 | motherandbaby.co.uk
Joggers, £7.99, lindex.com
Coat, £25.99,
mango.com
Hat, £7.99,
lindex.com
Parka, £16,
tesco.com
Pramsuit, £32,
mothercare.com
Coat, £17.99,
hm.com
Pramsuit, £10,
tesco.com
motherandbaby.co.uk | December 2017 | 83

LET’S CELEBRATE!
Bump&Birth
WORDS LOUISA PRITCHARD PHOTOGRAPHY ISTOCKPHOTO, SHUTTERSTOCK
The pregnant girls guide to
PARTYING
There’s even more reason to celebrate this Christmas:
here’s how to do it in style!
DRESS TO IMPRESS
‘Your body is changing
shape so quickly, what you
choose to wear will depend
on how many weeks
pregnant you are,’ says
fashion stylist Rachel Gold
(rachgold.co.uk):
First trimester: ‘If your
pregnancy is still a secret,
wear bright colours on your
upper body to distract
partygoers from your bump.
Shoulder pads are right
on-trend this Christmas, and
a statement necklace or
earrings will help keep the
focus above your waist.’
Second trimester: ‘It’s
all about making the most
of your growing bump.
Wear a stretchy bodycon
Nausea can hit at
any time – not just in the
morning – but an acupressure
band can help. It has a stud
that puts pressure on the
P6 acupuncture point on your
inner forearm, three fingers width
below your wrist, and this can help
stop feelings of sickness.
Throw some bangles over
the top and no one
will know you’re
wearing it.
dress to show off your
curves, and opt for a light
colour that will highlight your
bump. A thin leather
belt slung under
your bump looks
super-cute, too.’
Third trimester:
‘It’s time to
shine! A clingy
maternity jersey
dress looks great,
especially with a
longer cardigan over
the top. And don’t be afraid
to be the star of the party in
a big print either – a floral
design in stretchy velvet
looks amazing with a little
metallic leather jacket that
sits above your bump.’
Katie Piper Maternity,
£22, wantthattrend.com
’ GO NATURAL
‘I still
wanted to feel
glam when I was going to
Christmas parties while
pregnant. So instead of
changing my style, I just made
a few tweaks to make it comfy, too,
by swapping heels for flats, and
wearing a black floaty dress
instead of a little black one!’
Binky Felstead, 27, is mum
to India, five months
3 OF THE BEST
MATERNITY FROCKS
The big trend for Christmas is bold prints,
so just choose how loud you want to go!
Dodge that hug
To avoid your bump being squashed by an
over-enthusiastic, Prosecco-fuelled bear hug, hold
your glass in front of you, then side-step as you put
your other hand on the hugger’s shoulder, and
deliver a consolatory kiss to the cheek. Rest
assured that your baby is incredibly well
cushioned in your tummy, though, floating
in a sac of amniotic
ASOS Bird Print,
£65, asos.com
fluid and
protected by
your uterus.
Silk Wrap Dress,
£99, seraphine.com
Are you checking the contents labels of everything
in your bathroom cabinet now you’re pregnant?
You can still look good without chemicals…
Burt’s Bees
Lipstick
in Scarlet
Soaked has
only natural
ingredients,
£9.99, john
lewis.com
Zoya Nail Polish
is toxin-free,
so you can add
a safe touch of
glamour. Our
fave is Zoya Isla,
£11, hollandand
barrett.com
Now that a spray
tan is a no-no,
St Tropez
Powder Bronzer
will give you that
radiant glow,
£20.43,
feelunique.com
Energise
love
Pregnancy zaps your energy
levels in your first and third
ginger
trimesters, leaving you
Wafts of fried food
susceptible to bingeing on
from the buffet table can
too-salty treats at the
be overwhelming for a sensitive
buffet table. Eat a light
pregnancy nose, but ginger, long known meal before the party,
to help ward off nausea, will save you. and don’t wait for hunger
Apply Dr Bronner Orange Ginger Lip to hit before you make a
Balm (£2.99, drbronner.co.uk), made beeline for the buffet,
from natural ingredients including so you’re more likely to
ginger root oil, or just keep
choose healthy options. If
the stick in your bag and
you’re hosting, make a tray
have a sniff when
of pregnancy-perfect nibbles
you need!
that everyone will enjoy – toast
walnuts with a sprinkle of cinnamon,
pumpkin seeds with a little paprika, or
roast almonds with a drizzle of honey.
‘Have a power
nap before you go
out to give yourself
a boost for the party.’
Laura Wakem, 39,
from Hampshire,
is mum to Henry, two,
Holly, three, and
Clark, five
28 | December 2017 | motherandbaby.co.uk
motherandbaby.co.uk | December 2017 | 29

GET IN TUNE
Sing your baby
HAPPY
Jingle bells at the ready, there’s a very easy way
to put a smile on your youngster’s face
MEET THE
EXPERT
Tiffany Drake
is a music therapist
and mum of four
The strong
rhythm of O Come,
All Ye Faithful works a
treat to make getting
dressed more fun: ‘O come
and get dressed now,
Time to put your clothes on,
Let’s put on your
T-shirt…’
What’s your favourite-ever
Christmas tune? Whether
you’re a fan of Justin
Bieber or Bing Crosby,
or you prefer a carol to a
pop classic, just thinking
about your number one song means you’ll
probably be feeling a teeny-tiny bit happier
right now. Singing it out loud would have an
even more powerful effect, and it’s the same
for your baby. Hearing you sing, and joining in
however she chooses, makes her happier too.
There are all sorts of other benefits: singing
is a brilliant way for you to bond with her,
it can calm her and encourage her to
co-operate. It will help develop her social
and communication skills as well as her
co-ordination and brain development. And
this will all contribute to how content
she’s feeling. Yes, this year, singing
those Christmas carols is about
much more than just getting
into the festive spirit.
ALL TOGETHER…
We know that singing
improves mood, but doing
it with someone else lifts
emotions even more. So
encourage your youngster
and other family members
to join in, however they like.
Scientists have shown that the
benefits are the same, regardless
of whether you have X-Factor potential
or frankly can’t hold a tune in a bucket!
Even if your baby isn’t old
enough to add her voice to
yours yet, she’ll still feel the
benefits. When you sing,
your brain releases the
‘happy hormones’ oxytocin
and endorphins, reducing
anxiety and helping you
relax. And since your child
is highly intuitive to your
mood, she will pick up on
this and relax too. These
hormones are also key players
in forming your bond with your
baby. Music positively affects your
brain in areas related to empathy,
connection and trust, so sharing
it through singing with your
youngster really binds you together.
LET’S DO THIS!
Your baby prefers to listen to you
singing rather than talking – fact.
Research shows we mums sing in a
very particular way when we warble
Time for a
nappy change?
Try mixing up Rudolph
The Red Nose Reindeer:
‘(Baby’s name) my
gorgeous baby has a very
tickly tum, and every time
he giggles, I’m a really
happy mum!’
OVER TO
YULE!
Have you made
up your very
own Christmas
song? Tell us at
facebook.com/
motherandbaby
Baby&Toddler
to our own babies, and this captures their
attention, delighting and soothing them. So,
when you’ve got something to say, try singing it.
If she’s at the toddler stage and a bit too
fond of saying ‘no!’ when it comes to everyday
tasks, you might find she’s more co-operative
if you make your request via a song. Persuading
your youngster to put a coat on might be a
regular issue in your house. But turn the task
into a song, and you’ll probably skip over
much of her resistance. For a start, she’ll be
keener to listen because you are singing rather
than saying the words. And, once you’ve done
it a few times, she’ll make a strong musical
memory and know what’s about to happen.
Try the following words to the tune of
Once In Royal David’s City:
Now it’s time to get your coat on
Wrap up warm, we’re off outside
Let’s go on a winter-time adventure
Wonder what we will find
Is there snow or is there ice?
Who’s put on their Christmas lights?
Using song will add some fun to everyday
jobs too. If your youngster isn’t too keen
to help tidy her toys away, take the tune of
Jingle Bells and add these words:
Tidy up! Tidy up!
Time to clear away
Let’s tidy all these toys away
And play another day, oh!
She might not join in singing just yet, but she
will join in. You might notice that she drops
her toys into her toy box in time to the song.
And as she needs to regulate her movement to
do this, she’ll be far more involved
and enjoy the challenge.
SING AND SOOTHE
Singing calms both you and
your baby, so it can take
the tension away from
what might normally be
a fraught moment in your
day. Simply singing a first
line, followed by some
humming, will make a big
difference. If she’s not so keen
on bathtime, try singing I’m
dreaming of a clean baby to the tune
of I’m Dreaming Of A White
Christmas. And try mixing up
Silent Night at bedtime to lull your
youngster with a lilting tune:
Silent night, time to sleep tight
All is calm, dim the light
Time to lay down your sleepy head
Snuggle down in your cosy, warm bed
Sleep in cosy peace, sleep in soft peace
She might just settle to sleep
with a little smile still on her face.
WORDS TIFFANY DRAKE PHOTOGRAPHY ADOBE STOCK
42 | 2017 | motherandbaby.co.uk
motherandbaby.co.uk | December 2017 | 43

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